Better late than never… Acme Style will be on Spring Break this week. There will be no new store posts. Posting will resume Tuesday, April 29th. See you then!
Went into the Oxford Ave Acme in Philadelphia today. I was shocked to see the 90's red white and blue decor. There were a few new cases throughout, self checkout put in and the floral department was removed but besides that it looked almost unaltered. Have to say the decor looked fantastic. Brought back a lot of memories from shopping with my parents as a kid. Despite how old it was the decor itself aged very well. Can't say the same for the floor and shelving. I Found it odd that there was a full service seafood counter up but only 2 rows for meat. I understand fish is big during this season but it was crazy how much more fish there was than meat. I highly recommend visiting this store before it gets remodeled (if it ever will). Seemed to be a fairly successful store which is why I can't believe it never received any remodel in the last 20 years.
I had heard that store has never been remodeled since it opened but found it hard to believe. This is the first time I've heard for sure that it still has the 90's decor! Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks for the compliments, since I work at Oxford! However, you're technically incorrect about it never being remodeled since it opened - this store has been around since at least the 1970s. It was a Super Saver first, then got the 80s remodel around 1988 or so. The Pittston store is pretty close to what the original Acme looked like.
The store was NOT torn down or rebuilt - it was remodeled and expanded in 1995. The store remained open during the remodel - or should I say, transformation. It was such a complete makeover it was effectively a brand new store.
The newly built partition on the left side of the store contained a new entrance, a much larger produce department, and expanded bakery/meat/seafood sections. The original produce area, on the RIGHT side of the store, became home to a new pharmacy and an expanded Floral department. Hints of the old produce department remain - the "alcove" fixture remained. Floral moved out a decade ago but the prominent "FLORAL" sign remained on the alcove until recently.
The main entrance is now on the newer side, but the original entrance remains on what is now the Pharmacy side. The windows were removed and replaced with a fake facade, ostensibly to house the new Customer Service and Video Rental departments. (Yes, Video Rental. It's now greeting cards.)
When New Albertsons came in, they did some sprucing up - repainting areas that needed it, redoing the lights, getting rid of ceiling tiles.
As for the "fairly successful" part... welllllll... that wasn't exactly how I'd describe the store. A big reason is, well, the massive ShopRite down the street. Since the new regime took over, we have seen a HUGE increase in business.
Personally I think the decor looks great and is honestly better than the other Acmes that have been remodeled. It's bright and welcoming, unlike, say, the Chalkboard stores which seem dark and a bit depressing.
Acme Style, does this store look like a former Acme to you?: http://s.lnimg.com/photo/full/8b92683f78ce4cf48cd60429fe62127a.jpg
It reminds me of the former Acme in Lambertville due to the entrance design, parking lot layout, and the square footages would appear to be about the same.
Well the front of the building is pretty huge for an Acme of that era.I thought it may have been added but according to the historic aerials it appears to be original to the building. The only Acme location that I know for Narberth is over on Montgomery Ave.
Thanks for your opinion. Actually though this store is in Bala Cynwyd, not Narberth (but the two are close together) and Acme has separate stores in Bala Cynwyd and Narberth, but the Narberth store is listed with a "Penn Valley" address. Interestingly their Narberth and Bala Cynwyd stores couldn't be more different, despite their close proximity. The Narberth store is still quite small (but bigger than it once was) and is tucked right on the edge of a residential neighborhood in the middle of nowhere. By contrast the Bala Cynwyd store is in a huge shopping center, also anchored by a Lord & Taylor (which has changed not much at all since opening in 1955!) a fairly new Michaels which used to be a Woolworth, and an LA Fitness which once was a Food Fair/Pantry Pride.
Also, the Wine & Spirits pictured in Bala Cynwyd (which coexists with a slightly smaller Wine & Spirits in Narberth) isn't as big as it looks. It only is about 10,000 square feet, which is only about the size of a drugstore or dollar store, or a smaller than average 1950s supermarket.
I sent you pictures of 2 former Super Fresh's (1 in Fairless Hills became a shop rite in 1999) and the one in Franklin Mills became A&P's Pathmark Sav-A-Center in 2008. Both stores were built in the 1990s. One has the 90s Centennial and the other has the 90s steel
Oops, I must have assumed it was a Food Fair/Pantry Pride after reading Acme bought it at the Food Fair bankruptcy auction. And I had forgotten Acme was once there, but that would still allow for Acme to have been at one or more earlier sites in Bala Cynwyd. It wasn't too uncommon for 50's/60's (and not at all uncommon for early 50's) Acme stores to be replaced around 1979 or 1980 when the Food Fair empire collapsed.
Also I seem to recall that LA Fitness building having NOT a barrel roof similar to the classic Penn Fruit design. Actually the roof reminds me a lot of this former Food Fair/Pantry Pride:https://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2857510329/
Also notice the tower at this former Food Fair/Pantry Pride, very similar to the LA Fitness tower in Bala Cynwyd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2857512961/
Usually Penn Fruit store towers looked almost exactly like the one pictured here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/42444189@N04/4031890416/
But some Penn Fruit stores were more like the tower of the store in question. Here's such a Penn Fruit with the traditional roof: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/3560855509/
One more thing - I went into the Devon store today. My jaw dropped when I entered the store. They've come up with a new version of the logo. The block letters remain but they're now surrounded by a new, stylized fisheye: https://www.flickr.com/photos/15625137@N05/14033798171/in/photostream/
The new decor is very basic, but is VERY much an Acme in and out. Either the new fisheye or the block letters are on every sign in the place, Lancaster Brand has HUGE signage, the corner deli returns, and the walls feature slogans like "SERVING YOU SINCE 1891" and "THE HOUSE THAT QUALITY BUILT". They did their homework here.
I'll get that picture from flickr up tomorrow. Very nice refresh of the logo. I would love to see that get used on the front of the stores as well but it will probably only be used inside like they're doing at Jewel. Did you take any pictures of this great new look???
I took pictures of the Supreme food market, after it, I went to the Kmart next door, I didn't know today was the last day of the Kmart, Kmart closed today at 2PM EST
...unfortunately I didn't get pictures - I wear my Acme fleece everywhere and I didn't want anyone to think I was suspicious!
I don't know if I'd call it "great" - the new look is a bit warehousey. The lancaster brand sign above the prepack meat cases is a simple decal, for instance. (It was converted from what might have been a full-frills Albertsons decor.) One interesting thing is that this store, while it has a Pharmacy, lacks any Sav-on branding. There's no signage outside, and the sign above the Pharmacy says "FOR YOUR HEALTH". (Granted, that's next to what I think is the dairy wall, which has "THE HOUSE THAT QUALITY BUILT" instead of the section name.
I'd describe the interior as a blend of the Albertsons Market decor, lower-budget PFH, but most of all, a lot of the quirkiness of older Acmes, like the colonial and checkerboard decor. And the Acme logo is EVERYWHERE! Aisle markers, department signage, checkout lights, you name it. Either it's the New Fisheye or simply the block letters, but it's clear what store you're at. No Albertsons leaf, no Albertsons seal.
I don't know if this decor has shown up anywhere else yet. Willingboro I think is using the Bryn Mawr decor, while 10th and Reed, from at least one photo, is based on Albertsons Market decor, though if Devon is any indication I would not expect any leaves.
One thing is for sure - when I was in Devon, I felt like I was at an Acme. Not an Albertsons or a Supervalu. An Acme, like American Stores used to run. This is what happens when you have competent management!
I hope the new store post is Supreme Food Market @900 Orthodox Street in Philadelphia. The Kmart that is connected to it closed. :(
ReplyDeleteNope. Sorry. I am planning on getting that store photographed soon.
DeleteI might go there this weekend, and if possible, might take some shots of the Supreme to send to you via Email.
ReplyDeleteSounds good!
Delete"There will be new store posts."
ReplyDeleteShould be "There will be NO new store posts."
No offense but this did confuse me a bit at first. I understand we all make mistakes, just didn't want anyone else to be thrown off.
Thanks Geno!
ReplyDeleteWent into the Oxford Ave Acme in Philadelphia today. I was shocked to see the 90's red white and blue decor. There were a few new cases throughout, self checkout put in and the floral department was removed but besides that it looked almost unaltered. Have to say the decor looked fantastic. Brought back a lot of memories from shopping with my parents as a kid. Despite how old it was the decor itself aged very well. Can't say the same for the floor and shelving. I Found it odd that there was a full service seafood counter up but only 2 rows for meat. I understand fish is big during this season but it was crazy how much more fish there was than meat. I highly recommend visiting this store before it gets remodeled (if it ever will). Seemed to be a fairly successful store which is why I can't believe it never received any remodel in the last 20 years.
ReplyDeleteI had heard that store has never been remodeled since it opened but found it hard to believe. This is the first time I've heard for sure that it still has the 90's decor! Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteThanks for the compliments, since I work at Oxford! However, you're technically incorrect about it never being remodeled since it opened - this store has been around since at least the 1970s. It was a Super Saver first, then got the 80s remodel around 1988 or so. The Pittston store is pretty close to what the original Acme looked like.
DeleteThe store was NOT torn down or rebuilt - it was remodeled and expanded in 1995. The store remained open during the remodel - or should I say, transformation. It was such a complete makeover it was effectively a brand new store.
The newly built partition on the left side of the store contained a new entrance, a much larger produce department, and expanded bakery/meat/seafood sections. The original produce area, on the RIGHT side of the store, became home to a new pharmacy and an expanded Floral department. Hints of the old produce department remain - the "alcove" fixture remained. Floral moved out a decade ago but the prominent "FLORAL" sign remained on the alcove until recently.
The main entrance is now on the newer side, but the original entrance remains on what is now the Pharmacy side. The windows were removed and replaced with a fake facade, ostensibly to house the new Customer Service and Video Rental departments. (Yes, Video Rental. It's now greeting cards.)
When New Albertsons came in, they did some sprucing up - repainting areas that needed it, redoing the lights, getting rid of ceiling tiles.
As for the "fairly successful" part... welllllll... that wasn't exactly how I'd describe the store. A big reason is, well, the massive ShopRite down the street. Since the new regime took over, we have seen a HUGE increase in business.
Personally I think the decor looks great and is honestly better than the other Acmes that have been remodeled. It's bright and welcoming, unlike, say, the Chalkboard stores which seem dark and a bit depressing.
Acme Style, does this store look like a former Acme to you?: http://s.lnimg.com/photo/full/8b92683f78ce4cf48cd60429fe62127a.jpg
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the former Acme in Lambertville due to the entrance design, parking lot layout, and the square footages would appear to be about the same.
Well the front of the building is pretty huge for an Acme of that era.I thought it may have been added but according to the historic aerials it appears to be original to the building. The only Acme location that I know for Narberth is over on Montgomery Ave.
DeleteThanks for your opinion. Actually though this store is in Bala Cynwyd, not Narberth (but the two are close together) and Acme has separate stores in Bala Cynwyd and Narberth, but the Narberth store is listed with a "Penn Valley" address. Interestingly their Narberth and Bala Cynwyd stores couldn't be more different, despite their close proximity. The Narberth store is still quite small (but bigger than it once was) and is tucked right on the edge of a residential neighborhood in the middle of nowhere. By contrast the Bala Cynwyd store is in a huge shopping center, also anchored by a Lord & Taylor (which has changed not much at all since opening in 1955!) a fairly new Michaels which used to be a Woolworth, and an LA Fitness which once was a Food Fair/Pantry Pride.
DeleteAlso, the Wine & Spirits pictured in Bala Cynwyd (which coexists with a slightly smaller Wine & Spirits in Narberth) isn't as big as it looks. It only is about 10,000 square feet, which is only about the size of a drugstore or dollar store, or a smaller than average 1950s supermarket.
I sent you pictures of 2 former Super Fresh's (1 in Fairless Hills became a shop rite in 1999) and the one in Franklin Mills became A&P's Pathmark Sav-A-Center in 2008.
ReplyDeleteBoth stores were built in the 1990s. One has the 90s Centennial and the other has the 90s steel
Geno, that LA Fitness in Bala used to be the Acme, and before that was obviously a Penn Fruit, judging by the barrel roof and huge pylon sign.
ReplyDeleteOops, I must have assumed it was a Food Fair/Pantry Pride after reading Acme bought it at the Food Fair bankruptcy auction. And I had forgotten Acme was once there, but that would still allow for Acme to have been at one or more earlier sites in Bala Cynwyd. It wasn't too uncommon for 50's/60's (and not at all uncommon for early 50's) Acme stores to be replaced around 1979 or 1980 when the Food Fair empire collapsed.
DeleteAlso I seem to recall that LA Fitness building having NOT a barrel roof similar to the classic Penn Fruit design. Actually the roof reminds me a lot of this former Food Fair/Pantry Pride:https://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2857510329/
Also notice the tower at this former Food Fair/Pantry Pride, very similar to the LA Fitness tower in Bala Cynwyd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2857512961/
Usually Penn Fruit store towers looked almost exactly like the one pictured here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/42444189@N04/4031890416/
But some Penn Fruit stores were more like the tower of the store in question. Here's such a Penn Fruit with the traditional roof: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/3560855509/
One more thing - I went into the Devon store today. My jaw dropped when I entered the store. They've come up with a new version of the logo. The block letters remain but they're now surrounded by a new, stylized fisheye: https://www.flickr.com/photos/15625137@N05/14033798171/in/photostream/
ReplyDeleteThe new decor is very basic, but is VERY much an Acme in and out. Either the new fisheye or the block letters are on every sign in the place, Lancaster Brand has HUGE signage, the corner deli returns, and the walls feature slogans like "SERVING YOU SINCE 1891" and "THE HOUSE THAT QUALITY BUILT". They did their homework here.
I'll get that picture from flickr up tomorrow. Very nice refresh of the logo. I would love to see that get used on the front of the stores as well but it will probably only be used inside like they're doing at Jewel. Did you take any pictures of this great new look???
DeleteI took pictures of the Supreme food market, after it, I went to the Kmart next door, I didn't know today was the last day of the Kmart, Kmart closed today at 2PM EST
ReplyDelete...unfortunately I didn't get pictures - I wear my Acme fleece everywhere and I didn't want anyone to think I was suspicious!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'd call it "great" - the new look is a bit warehousey. The lancaster brand sign above the prepack meat cases is a simple decal, for instance. (It was converted from what might have been a full-frills Albertsons decor.) One interesting thing is that this store, while it has a Pharmacy, lacks any Sav-on branding. There's no signage outside, and the sign above the Pharmacy says "FOR YOUR HEALTH". (Granted, that's next to what I think is the dairy wall, which has "THE HOUSE THAT QUALITY BUILT" instead of the section name.
I'd describe the interior as a blend of the Albertsons Market decor, lower-budget PFH, but most of all, a lot of the quirkiness of older Acmes, like the colonial and checkerboard decor. And the Acme logo is EVERYWHERE! Aisle markers, department signage, checkout lights, you name it. Either it's the New Fisheye or simply the block letters, but it's clear what store you're at. No Albertsons leaf, no Albertsons seal.
I don't know if this decor has shown up anywhere else yet. Willingboro I think is using the Bryn Mawr decor, while 10th and Reed, from at least one photo, is based on Albertsons Market decor, though if Devon is any indication I would not expect any leaves.
One thing is for sure - when I was in Devon, I felt like I was at an Acme. Not an Albertsons or a Supervalu. An Acme, like American Stores used to run. This is what happens when you have competent management!